Combination heating and cooling shelf



Sept. 25, 1962 G. R. cox ETAL COMBINATIONHEATING AND COOLING SHELF FiledJuly ll, 1958 5 www 1r a. we@ al nm C 0 @.J M

THE /R A TTORNE YS Filed July 11, 1958, Ser. No. 747,960 4 Claims. (Cl.257-241) This invention relates to a heat transfer device such as ashelf or plate `and more particularly to a combination heating andcooling shelf having a plurality of Huid iiow paths or chambers therein.

The common type of heating shelf is generally a flat, hollow rectangularplaten, which consists of a cast or otherwise fabricated casing whichmay or may not be provided with baffles for dividing fluids. Suchdevices are ordinarily used in the chemical or any allied industrialprocess for the purpose of transferring heat to or from variousmaterials placed thereon. In practice, heat transfer is accomplished byplacing pans or trays loaded with the material to be heated or cooled onthe so-called heating shelf.

This general or ordinary type of heating shelf, is provided with asingle passage, through which either heating or cooling uid may flow.Such a heat transfer device is not completely satisfactory since it isextremely difficult, if not impossible, to satisfactorily control thetemperature of the shelf, and to maintain it at such Varying degrees oftemperature as may be desired.

Another disadvantage with such a structure is that while two differentfluid mediums may be singly or simultaneously delivered to a single,i.e., the same fluid passage. Such procedure may result in undesirableor even detrimental contamination of both fluids.

The ordinary type of dual heating shelf possesses the furtherdisadvantage of not providing the maximum possible efficiency, since asubstantial portion heat transfer surface of the shelf may not beexposed to direct contact with the heating or cooling fluid medium. Thatis to say, such shelves may be so formed that the adjacent portions ofthe heat transfer wall are not subjected to direct contact of theheating or cooling Huid medium.

An object of our invention is to provide a combination heating andcooling device which overcomes the disadvantages above enumerated;

An additional object of our invention is to provide a combinationheating and cooling shelf, wherein substantially the entire area of onesurface of the cover plate is in direct contact with such heating orcooling iiuid medium as is delivered to the shelf.

A further object of our invention is to provide a heat transfer shelfhaving two separate fluid paths formed therein such that different uidmediums may be employed alternately or in some cases simultaneously,without reducing the effectiveness ofthe shelf or without contaminatingeither fluid.

Other objects and advantages will be made apparent by the followingdescription of the now preferred embodiment of our invention asdisclosed by the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of an embodiment of the inventiondisclosing the fluid passages formed therein and the direction of Huidow therethrough.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional elevation taken along the brokenline II-II of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged cross-section in elevation taken along thebroken line III- III of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a diagrammatic sectional view ona reduced scale of the shelftaken on a plane immediately below the top cover plate of the shelf, thedot-dash arrows associated therewith indicating the flow of uid iterates latent O 3,055,642 Patented Sept.` 25, 1962 ICC FIGURE 5 is asectional view of the lower portion of the shelf with the top cover andthe structural parts secured thereto removed, the full line arrowsassociated therewith disclosing the direction of flow of fluid medlilumthrough a circuitous passage formed within the s elf.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention broadly consists of a hollowshelf-like structure, the interior of which is provided with two systemsof fluid passages, each system so arranged that the fluid mediumdelivered to it and passing therethrough contacts with at least one ofthe extended surfaces of the structure and, therefore, may contribute toeither the delivery of heat to or the extraction of heat from thatsurface. In addition, the two systems of passages are so arranged thateach may supplement the other in producing variations in the temperatureof one of the extended surfaces of the heat transfer structure. Thefurther description of the invention will also disclose that one or theother of the two systems of passage may be alone effective in producingthe desired temperature condition in one of the extended surfaces of thestructure.

From the foregoing it will also be apparent that -a still further objectof the invention is to produce a relatively simple and inexpensive heattransfer structure which may -be formed of either cast metal orfabricated metal parts and which includes in its make-up two independentsystems of uid passages, each of which is so arranged with relation toone wall of the structure that the fluid traversing each system moves indirect contact with the same extended surface of the structure.

In `describing the invention we have used the term fluid passage toindicate a passage for either a gas or a liquid. Referring to thedrawings, the combination heating and cooling shelf is generallydesignated by the numeral 10 and includes in its make-up a flat, topplate or cover 11 preferably of rectangular shape. Each of two edges ofthe cover 11 is shown as provided with an integral downwardly extendingange which is secured to a bottom plate 13 and, as shown, these flangesmay form either the side walls 12 or the end walls 14 of the shelf. Theside and end walls may, however, be conveniently formed by separateplates or strips, and all such plates may be secured together by weldingso as to forma uid tight structure.

As illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 4, one end wall 14 is provided with afluid inlet 16, located adjacent to one lateral edge of the shelf, and acomplementary fluid outlet 17 is located adjacent the other lateral edgeof the shelf. An additional uid inlet 18 is shown as provided in the endwall 14, inwardly offset from inlet 16, and its complementary duidoutlet 19 is shown Vin the end plate and is inwardly offset from outlet17.

A longitudinally extending inlet header 20 is located within the shelf10 adjacent the top plate 11 and along one side of the shelf. The iluidinlet 16 communicates with this header 20. Likewise a longitudinallyextending outlet header 21 is located within the shelf 10, adjacent thetop plate 11. It, however, is located on the side of the shelf oppositeto that along which the header 20 extends. The fluid outlet port 17communicates with the header 21. As shown in FIGURE 2, each header isIformed between the cover 11 and one side wall 12 of the shelf, by anangle bar 20 which is secured along its edges, preferably by welding, toboth cover 11 and a side wall 12. A plurality of channel shaped members23 extend in parallel, spaced relationship transversely across theinterior of the shelf. As shown, each member 23 is secured along itslateral edges to the top plate or cover 11. of the shelf and encloses ailuid passage which communicates at one end with the inlet header 20 andat the other end with the outlet header Z1. Thus the iluid mediumsupplied to the inlet header 20 through the inlet port 16 ilows inparallel streams through the transversely extending iluid passagesformed by the channel members 23 and enters the outlet header 21 fromwhich it is delivered through the outlet port 17. Thus the inlet header20, the outlet header 21, and the transversely extending passages formedby the cover 11 and the individual channels 23, constitute a system ofiluid passages through which the iluid medium moves in direct contactwith the top plate 11 of the shelf.

Spaced, longitudinally extending baille bars 24a, 24h, and 24C arelocated within the interior chamber of the shelf and each contacts withthe top or cover plate 11 and the base plate 13. The bars extend inparallel spaced relationship and are so arranged that each of the bars24a and 24C is secured at one end to the end wall 14 of the shelf,whereas the other end of each of these two bars is spaced a substantialdistance from the opposite end wall 14 of the shelf. One end of thecentral baille bar 24h is secured to the end wall 14 of the shelf,whereas the other end of that bar is spaced a substantial distance fromthe end wall 14. Each of the bars is so formed that it extends acrossbut contacts with each of the channel shaped members 23 and is securedthroughout its length to the base plate 13 and is also secured at spacedpoints along its length to the cover plate 11.

This arrangement of baille bars produces a cireuitous passageway withinthe shelf, one end of which communicates with the aforementioned inletport 1S and the other end of which communicates with the previouslymentioned outlet port 19. The solid line arrows shown in FIGURE 1designate the ilow of iluid medium entering the interior of the shelfthrough the port 1S and passing through the passage formed within theshelf between the plates 11 and 13 by the baille bars 24a, 2.4b, and24e. The full line arrows disclosed in FIGURE l indicate the directionof ilow of iluid media through a cireuitous passage formed between thetop and bottom plates of the shelf by the baflle bars. The arrows shownby dot-dash lines indicate the ilow of iluid medium entering said headerthrough the port 16, passing through the transversely extending channels23, and leaving the shelf through said header 21 and the outlet port 17.As clearly shown by the drawings, the iluid medium entering the port 16moves through the interior of the shelf in direct contact with the innersurface of the cover plate 11. The drawings also disclose that the uidentering the port 18, and leaving the shelf through the port 19,contacts the inner surface of the plate 11 as it moves through thecireuitous passage formed by the baille bars 24a, 24h and 24e and theplates 11 and 13.

A plurality of supporting stay blocks 25 are located within thecireuitous passageway between, and are secured to both the cover plate11 and base plate 13. These blocks 25 provide added strength andrigidity to the shelfltl. The blocks 25, like the baille bars 24a, 24h,and 24C, are preferably secured to the cover plate by means of plugwelds 26 and to the bottom plate 13 as by a iillet welding operation.

The shelf here described and illustrated, is not similar to a heatexchanger but is either a heating or cooling shelf so constructed thatthe upper surface thereof may be maintained at a desired temperatureaccording to the temperature of the fluid or iluids delivered to theinterior passages of the shelf. An advantage of the constructiondisclosed is that each of the circulated iluids delivered to the shelfcontacts a substantial portion of the platen area of the surfaceemployed in either heating or cooling material placed on the shelf. Thisis particularly important where such material is to be heated 0r cooledunder vacuum.

In the drawings We have disclosed piping P communieating with the port16 for delivering iluid medium to the header 20. The piping is shown asprovided with a valve v for controlling the ilow of iluid into theheader. Likewise, the port 1S communicates with piping P through whichiluid medium may be delivered to the cireuitous passage formed withinthe shelf by reason of the location of the baille bars between theplates 11 and 13. This piping is also provided with a control valve v.It is, therefore, apparent that iluid medium may be delivered to one orthe other of the ports 16 and 13 or may be delivered simultaneously toboth such ports. In addition, the ilow through each piping P and P' maybe valvecontrolled so that the temperature of the shelf may beaccurately controlled and particularly during operations in which aheating iluid is delivered to one system of passages within the shelfand a cooling iluid is delivered to the other system of such passages.

The procedure employed in producing the shelf when it is fabricated frommetal parts involves separately completing the upper or cover portion ofthe shelf and the base portion thereof. As previously stated, the coverportion includes the cover plate 11 and side walls 12 of the shelf. Asillustrated the side walls may be formed by bending the lateral edgeportions of the plate 11 at right angles to the major portion of theplate. As shown in the drawings the headers 20 and 21 are `formed bysecuring angle bars 2G to the plate 11 by welding one edge of cach suchbar to the inner extended surface of the plate 11 and by welding theother edge of each bar to the adjacent side wall 12. of the shelf. Itis, of course, apparent that before welding each angle bar 20 to theplate 11, it is notched so as to cooperate with the channel members 23in the formation of the transversely extending iluid delivery passageswhich communicate with both headers 20 and 21.

The next step in formation of the upper portion o-f the shelf involvessecuring the channel members 23 to the inner surface of the plate 11 andalso to the notched edges of the angle ybars Ztl. This is preferablydone by welding both longitudinal edges of each channel member 23 to theinner face of the plate 11 and by welding the end edges of each channelto the edges of one of the notches formed in each of the angle bars 20which contribute to the formation of the headers 20 and 21. In this wayiluid tight passages are formed within the interior of the shelf, i.e.,between the plates 11 and channel members 23. As previously stated, eachchannel member 23 is of such depth dimension as to provide a space ofappreciable depth between it and the inner surface of the bottom plate13.

At some convenient time the plate 11 is drilled or punched to preparefor the plug welding operations employed in connection with each of thebaille bars 24a, 2411, and 2li-c, and each of the stay blocks 25 to thecover plate 11. Operations such as outlined complete the formation ofthe upper portion of the shelf.

In constructing the lower portion of the shelf, the bottom plate 13 is,of course, cut to a size substantially equal to that of the upper plate11 and the end portions of the plate 13 may be bent at right angles tothe extended surface of that plate so as to form the end walls 14 and 14of the shelf. The baille bars24a, Zeb, and 24e and the stay block 25 arepositioned on the upper surface of the plate 13 and then secured theretopreferably by illlet welding operations. The plate 13 is then placed incontact with the lower edges of the lateral walls 12 formed on the upperplate 11 and with the baille bars and stay blocks in contact with theinner face of the plate 11. It, however, is noted that each of thebaille bars 24 is previously notched so that it engages and closely fitsaround the lower and lateral surfaces of all but one of the channelmembers 23. In addition, one end of each of the baille bars 24a and 24Cis also previously secured to the innersurface of the end wall 14'preferably by a welding operation and one end of the batiie bar 24h islikewise previously secured to the inner face of the end wall 14.

The bottom plate `13 may then be edge welded along its lateral edges -tothe lateral walls 12 formed on the plate 11 and the turned up endportions thereof (end walls 14 and 14') may then -be welded to the endedges ot the upper plate 11 and the end edges of the walls 12 formed bythe down turned portions of the plate 11. The final step in completingthe shelf is the plug welding operation which secures each of the stayblocks and the baiiie bars to the upper plate 11. This is accomplishedby the plug welds 26 in which welding material is placed in theapertures in the cover plate 11 in adhering contact with the plate 11and also one or another of the stay blocks or with one or another of thebatlle bars. It will, of course, be understood that all the weldingoperations are so performed as to provide fluid tight joints. It willalso be apparent that instead of bending the upper plate 11 to form theside walls 12 and instead of bending the bottom plate 13 to form the endwalls 14 and 14', separate metal strips may be preliminarily welded tothe plate 11 in the positions occupied by the side walls 12 indicated-by the drawings land similarly separate metal strips may be Welded tothe lower or base plate 13 to form the end walls 14 and 14. It will, ofcourse, be understood that no matter how the end walls are formed on theplate 13, each is secured to one end of one or more bal'lie bars by awelding operation before the upper and lower portions of the shelf aresecured together.

iWhile I have illustrated and described but one embodiA ment of myinvention it will be apparent that various changes, additions andmodications may be made in the structural details of the shelf.

iWhat we claim is:

l. A heat transfer apparatus including in its make-up rectangular topand bottom plates of equal size and shape and extending in spacedparallel relationship to each other and each constituting an enclosingwall of Aa chamber located between them, and having a right angle llangeof equal size and shape extending along each of two opposed edgesthereof with each such ange engaging and secured to a separate unflangededge of the other plate; a plurality of channel members secured to onesuch plate and extending in spaced parallel relationship thereacross andforming therewith ya plurality of separate tluid passages located withinand extending across such chamber; an inlet passage formed within suchchamber and extending at an angle to and communicating with each of saidprior mentioned passages; lan outlet passage formed within such chamberspaced from said inlet passage and extending at an `angle to, andcommunicating with each of Said diuid passages; a plurality of spacedparallel 'baffle bars located within said chamber, each spaced from andextending in parallel relationship to adj acent bars `and across and atright angles to at least some of ysaid channel mem-- bers and eachsecured to both of lsaid plates and forming with other baille bars acircuitous passage located within said chamber and having an inlet portlocated at one end thereof yand an outlet port located at the other endthereof, and a separate inlet and a separate outlet port communicatingrespectively with said inlet and said outlet passages.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim l wherein, a plurality of stay blocksare securely positioned in a spaced relation with each other betweeninner surfaces of said top and bottom plates and in a spaced relationwith said channel members and said bathe bars, the one plate hasspaced-apart openings therein in alignment with said stay blocks, andplug welds extend from the openings to secure said stay blocks to theone plate.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim l wherein, the one plate hasspaced-apart openings therein in alignment With said metal bars, andplug welds extend from the openings and secure said baille bars to theone plate.

4. Apparatus providing a heat transfer shelf which comprises, a pair oftop and bottom plates of substantially equal size and shape extending ina spaced parallel relation with each other land each constituting anenclosed wall of a chamber located between them, parallel side and endflanges extending at right angles between the inner sides of the top andbottom plates and secured along edges of the plates to define afluid-receiving chamber therebetween; angle bars secured 'along oppositesides of one plate and along said side lianges with apexes of said anglebars in a cooperating spaced relation with respect to said side anges,said angle bars extending to and being connected with said end flangesto define closed-end side passageways with the one plate along said sideflanges, said side passageways being closed-oli with respect to thechamber; a plurality of channel members extending in a substantiallyparallel cross relationship along the inner surface of the one platebetween and at substantially right angles to said angle bars and`delining with the inner surface of -the one plate and with said anglebars, cross passageways open to `and communicating at their ends withthe side passageways defined by said angle bars; said cross passagewaysbeing closed-ofi with respect to the chamber, metal bar means notched tobypass said channel members and being secured in a substantiallyparallel -and spaced relation with respect to said angle bars andbetween inner surfaces of said top and bottom plates and definingcircuitous passageways within the enclosing chamber, uid inlet andoutlet ports located adjacent opposite sides of the enclosing chamber, aseparate lluid inlet connected to one of said side passageways, and aseparate fluid outlet connected to the other of said side passageways.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS952,723 yBender Mar. 22, 1910 1,700,498 Hughes Ian. 29, 1929 1,710,818|Fosbury Apr. 30, 1929 2,43 6,390 Kleist Feb. 24, 1948 2,638,754 KleistMay 19, 1953 2,796,239 Holmes et al. June 18, 1957

